30 die in Ogun pipeline explosion

January 13, 2013 by SEGUN OLATUNJI and ENIOLA AKINKUOTU

Workers of National Emergency Management Agency during an operation to extinguish a fire caused by pipeline vandalism in Arepo, Ogun State. Inset: Some of the kegs recovered from vandals. | credits: Odutayo Odusanya and NEMA

A pipeline explosion in the Arepo area of Ogun State killed about 30 people who went to siphon petroleum products from a ruptured Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipeline on Saturday.

It was learnt that the fire broke out after vandals started fighting over the oil. One of them was said to have fired a shot that that led to the explosion.

Operatives of the Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Unit, Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, who were on patrol were said to have gone to the scene to avert further disaster.

It was in the process that they arrested a medical doctor, Dr. Odusina Adegboyega, and one of the survivors, Sunday Reuben, on their way to the hospital.

Confirming the arrest, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, who is in charge of the task force, said the explosion started at about 2am on Saturday.

“Shortly after the explosion, policemen led by Sector Commander, Lagos, DSP Onaghise Osayande, cordoned off the area to reduce casualties while they awaited the arrival of fire fighters to quench the fire.

“It was in the process that they stumbled into a jeep carrying one of the survivors and a medical doctor who was on his way to the hospital. In the course of interrogation, we discovered that the survivor was one of those who participated in the killing of NNPC officials last year.

“The task force arrested six suspected vandals who were alleged to have participated in the incident that led to the killing of three NNPC officials at Arepo Village, Owode, Ogun State.

“Sometime in August, 2012, there was a fire outbreak which was caused by suspected vandals who burst the pipeline to siphon petroleum products at Arepo.”

The spokesperson, National Emergency Management Agency, South-West zone, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on the telephone.

Farinloye said the casualty figure could not be ascertained.

“The explosion has made the area inaccessible but we will continue rescue efforts on Sunday (today),” he said.

Also, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Command, Mr. Kareem Olanrewaju, who confirmed the fire said, “No arrest was made as the vandals escaped through Majidun.”

Residents however told our correspondent that over 30 people were killed in the fire.

30 dying is not good enough. Anyone close to the pipeline with the intend to partake in this economic sabotage should be consumed by the fire.

Ajuwaya

Is it not pathetic that the masses of this country have continued to allow themselves to be used by the cabal to destroy the network of pipelines that we have in the country. How can there be an end to importation of petroleum products when the fuel pipelines and depots are continually being vandalised by unpatriotic elements in the society

seekergolden

So sad, and how did they even have access to reach the area?

abiodun johnson

@peter2000,
Evidently, those that died didn’t learn enough on “how to steal from pipeline’ from your creek brothers.

abiodun johnson

The guy in the picture above looks like Jonathan.

opwee

where is the economy you are talk about, the economy that has provide food on people table or you think they want to die too… think well

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Gladys

Y commiserate with them? They all deserve it.. They should rot in hell!!! I just pray this won’t lead to fuel scarcity in Lagos and South-West States.

Austin, Toronto, Canada

Poverty and high level ignorance will make some people resort to despirate action while ignoring the monumental risks involved. A petrol ignited fire will not have mercy on any of you.

abbey

May their soul rest in perfect Hell of FIRE with Devil.

Nigeria will b better

God save this country o

abbey

That useless Dr odusina and the other guy sunday should be thrown into the lake of fire.

niyoj

Why exactly do you think that should happen?
Do you have the full facts of the case? Who made us judge, jury and executioner? Remmeber the Aluu 4? Well, that’s how an entire community lynched these 4 children. It started with someone saying, ‘they are thieves, kill them’! Do we Nigerians ever learn from past mistakes?

http://yahoo.com Olumilo

poverty and greed are the centre of corruption, God will deliver us

Godman

It is about time people learnt from experience. We’ve had series of explosions even of higher magnitude yet people still go about this deadly venture. I think the National Orientation Agency should intensify their effort in creating awareness of the danger inherent in pipe line vadalisation

omooba

poverty has engulfed d life of many nigerians that they finaly embrace death as an alternative. even if million of ppl died now u would still find some ppl go with kegs & jerican to take their loots at where they heard a petrol tanker is accidentaly turned down.

Anas

I think they do not like money,like others and in the recent calculation south west was declared the region with lowest povert rate. Since the richest region will endanger their lives to siphon oil from pipe, i cannot believe what i see now. Sokoto the so called poorest may not endanger they lives like that. The rate of poverty in the South west Nigeria is so incredible that people will volunteer to die in fire because poverty.

Mustapha

If the rate of poverty is high in South West as

Ibrahim Makanjuola

I think they must av seen wat greedy has turned them to nw, dis would b a lesson for dose who attempt such kind of dis rubbish thief bcz of d money dat they might nt witness to enjoy.

Shaft

It’s a good thing that the police is alive to its responsibilities by apprehending some of the culprits. Intensive interrogation of these hoodlums witt reveal their true sponsors. i am convinced that these acts of pipeline vandalism are sponsored by those who stand to gain from the scarcity or unavailability of that product.

Abbey

But the story you people write is not complete.Also,nobody was able to ascertain the dead number

Oladimeji bamidele ayoola

Hmmmmmm, the story of nigeria is related to d novel i read which is titled “THE WEEPING CHILD”. NIGERIANS are now desperate to make money, not minding d danger dat might be attached to it. Dear GOD, pls help poverty stricking NIGERIANS. Wen will d weeping child ever be happy? May GOD 4give d vandalisers. But all dis could still be trace to d economic condition of d country

philosopher

Pipeline eruptions are never done by the poor but powerful rich individuals who even own petrol stations therefore their state of poverty shouldnt be brought into it.

Politically connected saboteurs must be sent to where they belong (prisons) for this great nation to move forward.

GodblessNigeria.

niyoj

In the midst of this awful disaster which probably came about because Mr A B C couldn’t stand to listen to their children’s hunger cries any longer, we should be praying for leaders that will lead Nigeria out of the mire and not sit around in the safety of our plush homes judging these poor unfortunate souls for trying to feed their families! .

n

Oladimeji bamidele ayoola
Hmmmmmm, the story of nigeria is related to d novel i read which is titled “THE WEEPING CHILD”. NIGERIANS are now desperate to make money, not minding d danger dat might be attached to it. Dear GOD, pls help poverty stricking NIGERIANS. Wen will d weeping child ever be happy? May GOD 4give d vandalisers. But all dis could still be trace to d economic condition of d country

I attach dis mishap to poverty.is only a rich man dat value is life,poor man dnt give a dam abt is lyf all he wants is survival

Uchebest

They died while trying to ve a slice of their own National Cake..thats’ an economic sabotage by them.

abiodun johnson

@Uchebest,
How many have died in your ‘hole’ trying to slice their own National Cake?

kennie

@ anas. I think ur insensitive enough.
Anyway my contribution is this, i concur wt d fact dt they are gullible element in this part of d world, selfish, greedy, criminals, sarcastic, etc. They should face the law, why is it nw dt someone was arreasted dt d police nw know that it ws one who perpetrated in d killing of nnpc official? Do we really know d facts of d situation? Why is it dt only a jeep and 2 pple arrested? Why is dt the place has become a sabotage in pipeline vandalisation? Why cant govt repair and sealed off the whole place? Even if there is need to relocate them frm the area. It is even unsafe to live close & near d pipelines, i need answers to all these questions.

Peace Okhaso

I think it is not every pipeline vandalization that results into an explosion. If not, no sane person would have embarked on such risky venture. Poverty alone is not the motivating factor to this disasterdly act but ignorance of the after effect. Most of these acts are sponsored by the petroleum industry saboteurs using the ignorant few. I would advise Nigerians to be cautious of inflammables this year as fire is seen to be wrecking havocs this year than any other.

Eliezer Papo

hunger,greed and illitracy breed these acts.irrespective of d fatality rate 2day,pple will still burst and scoop petrol 2mro…and will get burnt to death.
solution:actively discouraging d business by making it unprofitable, get pple earn a living(employment) and educating locals living along/near d pipelines.

Adeiku

Nnpc and police officials know about all vandals in the country, they pass information on when oil will flow and police protect the vandals and even tell them if its save or not. But will govt accept and do something about it?! Police and nnpc should be punish for every oil theft to reduce the crime if govt is seriouse.

hunger,greed and illitracy breed these acts.irrespective of d fatality rate 2day,pple will still burst and scoop petrol 2mro…and will get burnt to death. solution:actively discouraging d business by making it unprofitable, get pple earn a living(employment) and educating locals living along/near d pipelines.

http://punch ibrahim idris m

Destruction in nature to this our grate nation deserve ta die please let stop any menace in oder to free from menace

OmonBendel

I used to think this Trade was exclusively for Niger Deltans o. My western brothers are hustlers too ke’….

RIP to the lost souls…. You can not blame them, blame the government because they have turned us into scavengers… we have no sense of deceny any more because govt has used poverty to blow off our thinking hat.

VIC ROYAL

WHY IS IT THAT THIS SAME OIL THAT GOD GAVE US TO BETTER OUR LIVES TURNED OUT AND BECAME THE WORST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO US. OTHER COUNTRIES BLESSED WITH THIS SAME NATURAL RESOURCES ARE ENJOING THEM. WHY MUST OUR OWN CASE BE DIFFERENT. GOD I SUGGEST YOU DRY THIS OIL OF TERROR AND LETS SEE IF NIGERIA AND ITS PEOPLE WILL FOCUS.

All that has been happening in recent years, i expected Nigerians to be knowledgeable about fuel siphoning and its consequences. This would serve has a lesson to others who are planning to do such. NNPC should also find quick solution to the leaking pipeline.

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http://www.yahoo.com ayobami

God will destroy all saboteurs who want 2 cripple our nation

FEMI AJETUNMOBI USA

I DO NOT FEEL SORRY THESE FOLKS. THEY PAID WITH THEIR LIVES WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE THEY ALSO CAUSE ALOT OF SUFFERINGS ON FELLOW NIGERIANS. INSTEAD OF DOING THIS ACT THEY COULD HAVE EASILY BE A FARMER WHICH GOVTS HAVE ESTABLISHED TO HELP THE YOUTHS. ELECTRIC COPER WIRES ARE BEING STOLEN BY THESE VANDALS THE RESULT IS LACK OF ELECTRICITY TO OTHERS. AS GOVTS ARE PROVIDING THESE SERVICES THESE IDIOTS ARE AGAINST THEM.SOME NIGERIANS NEED TO APPRECIATE GOOD THINGS AND JEALOUSLY GUARDING THEM. FIRE WILL COUNTINUE TO CONSUME THEM AND ELECTROCUTION. THEY WILL NEVER GO UNPUNISHED.

Teema

I wonder what an arm person is doing there… Said to have fired a shut. Probarbly an illigal weapon for that matter. Did it occur to the fellow that a gun shut in such place and situation is tantamount to an inferno? Or did the fellow had an initial motive to commit siucide?
And why or how on earth was a doctor arrested? I hope he is not one of the vandals or scoopers. Is he truely a doctor?
Na wa oh! Wonders shall never end in Nigeria.

ID NOBLE

This just confirmed †ђξ state of †ђξ nation……this habit of spending ♏ŋξ♈ lavishly on cars parties and all †ђξ praises accorded by musicians……†ђξ youths of now have seen all this and wanna have it all by all means necessary……..God please intervene with U̶̲̥̅̊я divine power

AWELLE OKIGBO (CALEB UNIVERSITY IMOTA LAGOS)

This should be a wake up to The President and federal Government we haven’t come to terms with the fire that happened last year at all now A pipeline explosion in ogun state. we have also heard various issues like this in Nigeria where oil is stolen and have caused various explosions. Proper investigation should be made to fine out the reasons for all these stealing of oil in and what can be done to stop it

Makolo Praise Ojima

The government are the only people that can stop the stealing of petroluem because the more the inflation the more there will be theft of petroluem and the more they will here of explosions.

Makolo Praise Ojima

The government know the reason why there is theft and explosion of pipelines because the more they inflat the price of oil,the more there will be theft and the more there will be explosion and death of innocent people.

chijioke cassia

SOME TIMES THE CITIZENS ARE NOT TO BE BLAMED FOR THE THEFT IN THE COUNTRY,BECAUSE LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY DO NOT LEAD BY EXAMPLE,SO IF THE GOVERNMENT WANTS THE LEVEL OF THEFT TO REDUCE IN THEN THEY SHOULD LEAD BY PROPER EXAMPLE.

ALIKA

LET FIRE JUDGE VANDALS NEXT TO EVERY POLITICAL LEADERS WHO LOOT AND EAT WHAT BELONG TO ALL LIVING CITIZENS ALONE WITHOUT REMORSE THINKING THEIR CLEVER ALL OF THEIR ENTIRE GENERATIONS, THEIR WEALTH IN VEIN.

Makolo Praise Ojima CALEB UNIVERSITY IMOTA

The government are the only people that can stop the stealing of petroluem because the more the inflation the more there will be theft of petroluem and the more they will hear of explosions and death.

OLUWABUKOLA KILASHO CALEB UNIVERSITY, IMOTA. LAGOS

I think it is not every pipeline vandalization that results into an explosion. If not, no sane person would have embarked on such risky venture. Poverty alone is not the motivating factor to this dangerous act but ignorance of the after effect. Most of these acts are sponsored by the petroleum industry saboteurs using the ignorant few. I would advise Nigerians to be cautious of inflammable this year as fire is seen to be wrecking havoc this year than any other.

This is the second oil and gas related explosion in the space of a week, the government should take adequate measures such as tougher sanction for companies to ensure that the right equipment are used.

princewill

What was the doctor’s offence? In short I don’t understand this news the whole thing is just jerky.

Stanley Wehere

wat do they intend 2do with the suspect?

sky@yahoo.com

the worry i am is that govt should have done this deeply underground

Emmanuel nsan

It is very unlawful in the country for citizens to involve their selves in such a criminal act.thank God they by fire.

Amos O

Look ,is high time pms vandals should be wise . Every one in this country knows very well that our economy is nothing to write home about . But that should not make anybody to kill himself because of longer throat . It is a pity for such hot death . He who want to drag he goat inside the market , will surely enter the market with the he goat. Nigerias be warned and be wise

Adeleye Kanyinsola Grace

Petroleum vandals should be dealt with, lookig at the case of what happen it was because of their act of selfishness that led them to their early grave. Citizens should note that securing of live is meant for the government but if we dont try to protect it then we are therefore endangering our lives.

Killimanjaro/London

The wages of sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!……May God forgive them all

saka saheed

u to blame? govt. do d right t at d right time… A citizens govt do not value… What do u expect fro citizens… NO GOOD LEADER T SHOW SAMPLE TO UPCOMING GENERATION… Let our leader & us fear the day of Judgement, everybody ll account… ha no sabi eyibo

Freeman

This ‘ll serve as a big lesson to those who perpetrate such act

Mariam Yusuf

Not until wen lifes are gone, we Nigeria’s don’t value wat we ave, it only the Lord that can safe us all. It better the Govt think of people that they are governing and the people should also respect and protect the law giving by the Government.
NA GOD FIT HELEP US OOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!